System and method for using a game controller device for electronic trading

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, a system for electronic trading is provided. The system includes an interface application having an associated mapping module that defines a plurality of controller signal relationships. Each controller signal relationship associates a game controller signal with a trading system command associated with the electronic trading of financial instruments. The interface application is operable to receive a particular game controller signal, determine the trading system command associated with the particular game controller signal using the mapping module, and communicate the determined trading system command such that the trading system command is executed.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to electronic trading and, moreparticularly, to a system and method for using a game controller devicefor electronic trading.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, electronic trading systems have gained a widespreadacceptance for trading items. For example, electronic trading systemshave been created which facilitate the trading of financial instrumentssuch as stocks, bonds, currency, futures, or other suitable financialinstruments. Such electronic trading systems often have a number ofclients or terminals connected to a trading platform by a communicationsnetwork, such as the Internet or a virtual private network, for example.Each client or terminal of such a trading system may include variousinput devices, such as keyboards or mouses. In some instances, users mayuse keyboards that are specifically designed or configured for use in anelectronic trading system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, systems and methods for usingan interface device for electronic trading are provided.

According to one embodiment, a system for electronic trading isprovided. The system includes an interface application having anassociated mapping module that defines a plurality of controller signalrelationships. Each controller signal relationship associates a gamecontroller signal with a trading system command associated with theelectronic trading of financial instruments. The interface applicationis operable to receive a particular game controller signal, determinethe trading system command associated with the particular gamecontroller signal using the mapping module, and communicate thedetermined trading system command such that the trading system commandis executed.

According to another embodiment, a method of electronic trading isprovided. A plurality of controller signal relationships are managed.Each controller signal relationship associates a game controller signalwith a trading system command associated with the electronic trading offinancial instruments via a trading platform. A particular gamecontroller signal generated by a game controller is received. Thetrading system command associated with the particular game controllersignal is determined based on the controller signal relationships. Thedetermined trading system command is communicated toward the tradingplatform such that the trading system command may be executed by thetrading platform.

Various embodiments of the present invention may benefit from numerousadvantages. It should be noted that one or more embodiments may benefitfrom some, none, or all of the advantages discussed below.

One advantage of the invention is that a game controller, such as agamepad or joystick, may be used to trade electronically tradableinstruments or other items via a trading system. This may allow users toperforming various trading functions with greater speed and accuracythan with other input devices, such as keyboard or mouses. In addition,some users may be more familiar with using a game controller than usinga keyboard or mouse.

Another advantage of the invention is a user terminal may store gamecontroller configurations for various types and/or models of gamecontrollers such that different types and/or models of game controllersmay be used interchangeably with a particular user terminal. Inaddition, a game controller may be configurable such that a user mayconfigure the game controller as he or she desires. Thus, the gamecontroller may be personalized for the user, which may further increasethe speed and accuracy with which the user can perform tradingfunctions, such as buying or selling financial instruments, for example.

Other advantages will be readily apparent to one having ordinary skillin the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and forfurther features and advantages, reference is now made to the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example trading system in which a user may engagein trading activity using a game controller device according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example game controller device for use in thetrading system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a table that specifies example default controllersignal relationships for the game controller device shown in FIG. 2 inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example method of a user engaging in electronictrading via trading platform using the game controller device shown inFIG. 2 and configured according to FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 illustrates an example method of configuring and reconfiguringthe controller signal relationships associated with a game controllerdevice according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments of the present invention and their advantages arebest understood by referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings,in which like numerals refer to like parts.

In general, a game controller device, such as a gamepad or joystick, isused to interface with a electronic trading system, such as to placeorders to buy or sell financial instruments, for example. Configurationsfor various types and/or models of game controllers may be stored andmanaged such that different types and/or models of game controllers maybe used interchangeably at a user terminal. In addition, a gamecontroller may be configurable such that a user may configure the gamecontroller as he or she desires.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example trading system 10 in which a user mayengage in trading activity using a game controller device according toan embodiment of the present invention. As shown, system 10 includes anumber of user terminals 12 coupled to a trading platform 14 by acommunications network 16. User terminals 12 provide users 22 access toengage in trading activity via trading platform 14. A user 22 is anyentity, such as an individual, group of individuals or firm, thatengages in trading activity via trading system 10.

Trading platform 14 is a trading architecture that facilitates theelectronic trading of financial instruments, such as stocks or otherequity securities, bonds, mutual funds, options, futures, derivatives,and currencies, for example, or any other suitable instruments, goods orservices between users 22. Trading platform 14 may be a computer, aserver, a management center, a single workstation, or a headquarteringoffice for any person, business, or entity that seeks to manage tradingbetween users 22 of system 10. Accordingly, trading platform 14 mayinclude any suitable hardware, software, personnel, devices, components,elements, or objects that may be utilized or implemented to achieve theoperations and functions of an administrative body or a supervisingentity that manages or administers a trading environment.

Trading platform 14 may be operable to receive trading orders from users22 and to manage or process those trading orders such that financialtransactions between users 22 may be performed. Trading module may havea link or a connection to a market trading floor, or some other suitablecoupling to any suitable element that allows for such transactions to beexecuted.

Communications network 16 is a communicative platform operable toexchange data or information between trading platform 14 and userterminals 30. Communications network 16 represents an Internetarchitecture in a particular embodiment of the present invention, whichprovides users 22 with the ability to electronically execute trades orinitiate transactions to be delivered to an authorized exchange tradingfloor. In other embodiments, communications system 14 could be anypacket data network (PDN) offering a communications interface orexchange between trading platform 14 and user terminals 30.Communications network 16 may alternatively be any local area network(LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN),wireless local area network (WLAN), virtual private network (VPN),intranet, or any other appropriate architecture or system thatfacilitates communications in a network environment.

A user terminal 12 may include a computer system and appropriatesoftware to allow user 22 to engage in trading activity via tradingplatform 14. As used in this document, the term “computer” refers to anysuitable device operable to accept input, process the input according topredefined rules, and produce output, for example, a personal computer,workstation, network computer, wireless data port, wireless telephone,personal digital assistant, one or more processors within these or otherdevices, or any other suitable processing device.

As shown in FIG. 1, a user terminal 12 may include a terminal body 30, adisplay device 32, and a game controller input device 34. User terminal12 may also include one or more additional input devices 36, such as akeyboard 38 and a mouse 40. Display device 32 may be any suitable devicefor displaying information to a user 22, such as an internal notebookdisplay, a CRT monitor, or a television, for example.

Terminal body 30 includes a processing unit 46 and a memory unit 48 thatstores an interface application 50, which is discussed below. Processingunit 46 may process data associated with system 10, which may includeexecuting coded instructions associated with interface application 50.Memory unit 46 may be coupled to data processing unit 46 and may includeone or more databases and other suitable memory devices, such as one ormore random access memories (RAMs), read-only memories (ROMs), dynamicrandom access memories (DRAMs), fast cycle RAMs (FCRAMs), static RAM(SRAMs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), erasable programmableread-only memories (EPROMs), electrically erasable programmableread-only memories (EEPROMs), microcontrollers, or microprocessors.

Terminal body 30 also includes one or more input ports 54, each of whichprovides an interface for coupling game controller input device 34, oneor more additional input devices 36 and/or other peripheral devices tointerface application 50. Input ports 54 may include various types ofinterfaces, such as USB type ports (such as USB type I or type II ports,for example), keyboard ports, mouse ports, serial ports, parallel ports,or Bluetooth (™) or FireWire (™) ports, for example. In the exampleembodiment shown in FIG. 1, terminal body 30 includes a mouse port 56for mouse 40, a keyboard port 58 for keyboard 38, a serial port 60, anda USB type port 62. In this embodiment, game controller device 34 may becoupled to either serial port 60 or USB type port 62, depending on thetype of cable and/or plug provided by the game controller device 34.

In addition, keyboard 38 may include one or more input ports 64 thatallow other input devices to be plugged into keyboard 38. Signalsgenerated by an input device connected to an input port 64 provided bykeyboard 38 are routed through keyboard 38 and keyboard port 58 to whichkeyboard 38 is coupled. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, keyboard 38is a customized keyboard 38 designed for electronic tradingapplications, and includes a serial port 68 and a USB type port 70. Insome embodiments, a particular game controller device 34 may be able tobe coupled directly to an input port 54 of terminal body 30, or to aninput port 66 of keyboard 38, which is in turn connected to keyboardport 58 of terminal body 30. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, gamecontroller device 34 includes a USB cable 72 which may be plugged intoUSB type port 70 of keyboard 38 or directly into USB type port 62 ofterminal body 30 (as shown by dotted line 74). Alternatively, gamecontroller device 34 may communicate with interface application 50 atleast in part via wireless communications. For example, as shown in FIG.1, game controller device 34 may include a wireless transceiver 76 thatmay communicate wirelessly with a wireless transceiver 78 associatedwith terminal body 30. Such wireless communications may utilize anysuitable wireless communications protocol or protocols.

Game controller input device 34 may be any of a variety of input devicesused in connection with video or computer gaming, such as a handheldvideo game controller, a joystick or a gamepad, for example. Some gamecontroller devices 34 include a number of buttons as well as one or morejoysticks or directional pads (D-pads). The depression or manipulationof such buttons, joysticks and/or D-pads by a user 22 generates gamecontroller signals which may be received and interpreted by interfaceapplication 50 in order to generate commands related to the functions oftrading system 10, as discussed below. Similarly, keyboard 38 and mouse40 may generate keyboard signals and mouse signals, respectively, whichmay be received and interpreted by interface application 50 in order togenerate commands related to the functions of trading system 10.

Interface application 50 includes one or more applications and modulesthat provide interfaces that allow user 22 to communicate with tradingplatform 14 using various input devices 34 and display device 32. Forexample, such applications and modules may include graphical userinterface (GUI) applications that generate displays of information ondisplay device 32, receive and interpret commands from input devices 34in order to cause changes to the active display on display device 32 andto generate and send messages to trading platform 14, and receive andinterpret messages from trading platform 14 in order to cause changes tothe active display on display device 32 and/or to generate and sendmessages to input devices 34. Interface application 50 may include anysuitable software or coded instructions for providing at least thevarious functionality discussed herein with reference to interfaceapplication 50.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, interface application 50 includes amapping module 80 and a configuration module 81. Mapping module 80defines various relationships for mapping signals received from variousinput devices 34 with various commands regarding trading system 10.Mapping module 80 includes controller signal relationships 82, keyboardsignal relationships 84, and mouse signal relationships 86. Eachcontroller signal relationship 82 associates a game controller signalgenerated by a game controller device 34 with a trading system commandassociated with trading system 10. Each trading system command may be acontrol instruction to alter or manipulate the current display shown ondisplay device 32 (such as an instruction to move a cursor across thedisplay 32, for example) and/or a trading instruction that may becommunicated to or from trading platform 14 (such as an instruction tobuy, sell, or increase a price, for example).

Mapping module 80 may include sets of such controller signalrelationships 82 for various types or models of game controller devices34, as well as for various users 22. Thus, if more than one type ormodel of game controller device 34 is used with a particular userterminal 30, controller signal relationships 82 specific to each type ormodel of game controller device 34 may be stored in and retrieved frommapping module 80. In addition, if more than one user 22 uses aparticular user terminal 30, controller signal relationships 82 specificto each such user may be stored in and retrieved from mapping module 80.The controller signal relationships 82 for each type or model of gamecontroller device 34 and/or for each user 22 may be configurable orreconfigurable such that each user 22 may create his or her own desiredconfiguration. In addition, each type or model of game controller device34 may have a default configuration of controller signal relationships82 maintained by mapping module 80.

Similar to controller signal relationships 82, each keyboard signalrelationship 84 associates a keyboard signal generated by a keyboard 38with a trading system command associated with trading system 10.Similarly, each mouse signal relationship 86 associates a mouse signalgenerated by a mouse 40 with a trading system command associated withtrading system 10.

Mapping module 80 may also include one or more sets of feedback signalrelationships 88, each associating a signal generated by tradingplatform 14 with a controller feedback command. Controller feedbackcommands are commands that may be used by game controller device 34 toprovide feedback to a user 22 of game controller device 34. For example,controller feedback commands may include commands which cause gamecontroller device 34 to rumble (i.e., vibrate) or light up. In oneembodiment, feedback signal relationships 88 for a particular gamecontroller device 34 include a relationship between an “executed trade”signal generated by trading platform 14 and a “rumble” command for gamecontroller device 34. Thus, when trading platform 14 executes a tradeinvolving a user 22, trading platform 14 generates and communicates an“executed trade” signal to interface application 50, which translatesthe signal into a “rumble” command and communicates the “rumble” commandto game controller device 34, thus causing the game controller device 34to vibrate.

Configuration module 81 cooperates with mapping module 80 to allow users22 to configure (or generate) and/or reconfigure various controllersignal relationships 82. In some embodiments, configuration module 81provides a controller configuration GUI on display device 32 that allowsa user 22 to configure, or generate, a set of controller signalrelationships 82 associated with an unconfigured game controller device34, as well as to reconfigure the set of controller signal relationships82 associated with a previously configured game controller device 34. Ina particular embodiment, the controller signal relationships 82associated with a game controller device 34 may be reconfigured anynumber of times.

Mapping module 80 and configuration module 81 may include all orportions of the software or coded instructions associated with interfaceapplication 50. Mapping module 80 and configuration module 81 may alsobe partially or completely integrated. In addition, multiple instancesof mapping module 80 and/or configuration module 81 may be provided byapplication 50.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example game controller device 34 for use intrading system 10. Game controller device 34 is a gamepad that includesa D-pad, a pair of joysticks (Joystick A and Joystick B), and ninebuttons (Button A through Button J). FIG. 3 illustrates a table 90 thatspecifies example default controller signal relationships 82 for thegame controller device 34 of FIG. 2 in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention. As shown in FIG. 3, each controller signal relationship82 is a relationship between the signal(s) produced by the manipulationof one or more gamepad controls and a trading system command.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example method of a user 22 engaging in electronictrading via trading platform 14 using the game controller device 34shown in FIG. 2 and configured as described above according to anembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the gamecontroller device 34 is connected to a serial port 68 provided by akeyboard 38 at a user terminal 12, which in turn is connected to akeyboard port 58 of the terminal body 30 of the user terminal 12. Thus,game controller signals generated by game controller device 34 arerouted to application 50 via keyboard 38.

At step 100, mapping module 80 of interface application 50 managesvarious sets of controller signal relationships 82, keyboardrelationships 84, and mouse relationships 86 which map input signalswith commands associated with trading activity within trading system 10.The controller signal relationships 82 include the set of relationshipsshown in FIG. 3, which are the specific to the type and model of gamecontroller device 34. At step 102, the appropriate set of controllersignal relationships 82 for game controller device 34 are identifiedfrom mapping module 80. This may involve any suitable steps orprocesses. For example, interface application 50 may automaticallyidentify the type and/or model of game controller device 34 based onsignals or messages received from game controller device 34, such as acontrol message, for example. As another example, the user 22 mayidentify the type and/or model of game controller device 34 using a GUIdisplayed to the user 22 by interface application 50, such as byselecting the appropriate type and/or model from a list of differentgame controller device types and/or models. In addition, if user 22 hadpreviously reconfigured the controller signal relationships 82 for gamecontroller device 34, interface application 50 may identify theappropriate controller signal relationships 82 for user 22 and gamecontroller device 34. For example, interface application 50 may identifyuser 22 (such as from a user ID entered by user 22, for example) andpresent to the user 22 a display listing one or more sets of controllersignal relationships 82 that have been stored at mapping module 80 inassociation with user 22. User 22 may then select from the list thedesired set of controller signal relationships 82.

At step 104, user 22 initiates a game controller signal by moving theD-pad or joysticks and/or depressing one or more buttons of gamecontroller device 34. At step 106, the game controller signal iscommunicated from game controller device 34 to application 50 via serialport 68, keyboard 38, and keyboard port 58. At step 108, interfaceapplication 50 determines the trading system command associated with thereceived game controller signal using the appropriate controller signalrelationships 82 identified at step 102, and acts accordingly. At step110, interface application 50 determines whether the determined tradingsystem command is a control instruction to alter or manipulate thecurrent display shown on display device 32 or a trading instruction tobe communicated to trading platform 14. If the trading system command isa control instruction, interface application 50 generates the controlinstruction at step 112, which results in the appropriate change ormanipulate the current display. For example, if the game controllersignal was generated by user 22 moving Joystick A (which is associatedwith a “move cursor” command, as shown in FIG. 3), interface application50 will cause the cursor to be moved around the screen.

Alternatively, if the trading system command is a trading instruction,interface application 50 generates and communicates the appropriatetrading instruction to trading platform 14 at step 114. The appropriateaction is taken by trading platform 14 in response to the receivedtrading instruction at step 116. For example, if the game controllersignal was generated by user 22 depressing both Button 7 and Button 6(which is associated with a “bid” command, as shown in FIG. 3),interface application 50 will generate and communicate to tradingplatform 14 an instruction to place a particular bid for user 22 at step114, and trading platform 14 will receive the instruction and place thebid on trading platform 14 at step 116. Steps 104 through 116 arerepeated as user 22 continues to interact with interface application 50using game controller device 34 in order to engage in trading activitywith trading platform 14.

At step 118, trading platform 14 executes a trade between an buy orderplaced by user 22 and a sell order placed by another user 22′ of system10. At step 120, trading platform 14 generates and communicates tointerface application 50 a signal indicating that the buy order wasexecuted for user 22. At step 122, interface application 50 determines,using appropriate feedback signal relationships 88, that the receivedsignal is associated with a “rumble” controller feedback command. Atstep 124, interface application 50 communicates the “rumble” command togame controller device 34, which causes game controller device 34 torumble, or vibrate.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example method of configuring and reconfiguringthe controller signal relationships 82 associated with a game controllerdevice 34 according to one embodiment of the invention. At step 150,interface application identifies that a game controller device 34connected to terminal body 30 is not configured. At step 152,configuration module 81 provides a controller configuration GUI ondisplay device 32 that allows user 22 to configure, or generate, a setof controller signal relationships 82 for the unconfigured gamecontroller device 34. At step 154, user 22 generates and communicatesconfiguration instructions to configuration module 81 via the controllerconfiguration GUI, such as by making selections using the gamecontroller device 34 or another input device 36, such as a keyboard 38or mouse 40. At step 156, configuration module 81 generates controllersignal relationships 82, which are stored by mapping module 80 inassociation with the game controller device 34 and/or user 22. At step158, user 22 engages in trading via trading platform 14 using theconfigured game controller device 34.

At some subsequent time, user 22 wishes to reconfigure one or more ofthe controller signal relationships 82 for the game controller device34. At step 160, user 22 submits a request to reconfigure controllersignal relationships 82 for game controller device 34. At step 162,configuration module 81 provides a controller reconfiguration GUI ondisplay device 32 that allows user 22 to reconfigure the existing set ofcontroller signal relationships 82 for the game controller device 34.The controller reconfiguration GUI may be similar or identical to thecontroller configuration GUI discussed above with reference to step 152.At step 164, user 22 generates and communicates reconfigurationinstructions to configuration module 81 via the controllerreconfiguration GUI, such as by making selections using the gamecontroller device 34 or another input device 36, such as a keyboard 38or mouse 40. At step 166, configuration module 81 reconfigures, orchanges, one or more controller signal relationships 82, which changesare then stored by mapping module 80. At step 168, user 22 engages intrading via trading platform 14 using the reconfigured game controllerdevice 34.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the method withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. Additionally, steps may beperformed in any suitable order without departing from the scope of theinvention.

Although an embodiment of the invention and its advantages are describedin detail, a person skilled in the art could make various alterations,additions, and omissions without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A system for electronic trading, comprising: a memory operable tostore: a first set of controller signal relationships, the first setassociated with a first user and with a first type of game controller; asecond set of controller signal relationships, the second set associatedwith the first user and with a second type of game controller; and athird set of controller signal relationships, the third set associatedwith a second user and with the first type of game controller; aninterface application communicatively coupled to the memory, wherein: atleast one controller signal relationship associates one of a pluralityof game controller signals with one of a plurality of trading systemcommands associated with the electronic trading of financialinstruments; the interface application is operable to: identify aparticular user associated with a particular game controller; identify aparticular controller type associated with the particular gamecontroller; determine at least one of the stored sets of controllersignal relationships based at least in part on the identified user andthe identified controller type; receive a particular game controllersignal from the particular game controller; determine the trading systemcommand associated with the particular game controller signal based atleast in part on the at least one determined set of controller signalrelationships; and communicate the determined trading system commandsuch that the trading system command is executed.
 2. The system of claim1, wherein the memory is further operable to store at least one set ofkeyboard signal relationships, each keyboard signal relationshipassociating one of a plurality of keyboard signals with one of theplurality of trading system commands.
 3. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising ÷ an input port in communication with the interfaceapplication, wherein the game controller is operable to produce theplurality of game controller signals , and is configured to interfacewith the input port such that the game controller signals produced bythe game controller are communicated to the interface application viathe input port.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the input port is aUSB type port.
 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the input port is aserial port.
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a keyboardinput port in communication with the interface application; and akeyboard operable to produce keyboard signals and configured tointerface with the keyboard input port such that keyboard signalsproduced by the keyboard are communicated to the interface applicationvia the keyboard input port, the keyboard including a controller inputport; and wherein: the particular game controller is operable to producethe plurality of game controller signals , and is configured tointerface with the controller input port such that the game controllersignals produced by the particular game controller are communicated tothe interface application via the keyboard.
 7. The system of claim 6,wherein the controller input port is a USB type port.
 8. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the controller input port is a serial port.
 9. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein the memory is further operable to store atleast one set of keyboard signal relationships, each keyboard signalrelationship associating one of a plurality of keyboard signals producedby the keyboard with one of the plurality of trading system commands.10. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory is further operable tostore one or more feedback signal relationships, each feedback signalrelationship associating a trading platform signal with a controllerfeedback command; and wherein the interface application is furtheroperable to receive a particular trading platform signal from a tradingplatform, determine the controller feedback command associated with theparticular trading platform signal using the one or more feedback signalrelationships, and communicate the determined controller feedbackcommand toward the particular game controller.
 11. The system of claim10, wherein the determined controller feedback command comprises acommand to vibrate the particular game controller.
 12. The system ofclaim 10, wherein: the particular game controller comprises a lightsource; and the determined controller feedback command is to activatethe light source.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein: the memory isfurther operable to store: a first default set of controller signalrelationships associated with the first type of game controller; and asecond default set of controller signal relationships associated withthe second type of game controller; and if the particular userassociated with the particular game controller is not associated with acustomized set of controller signal relationships for the identifiedcontroller type, the interface application is operable to: determine atleast one of the default sets of controller signal relationships basedat least in part on the identified controller type; and determine thetrading system command associated with the particular game controllersignal based at least in part on the default set of controller signalrelationships.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein: if the identifiedcontroller type is not associated with at least one of the stored setsof controller signal relationships, the interface application isoperable to: provide a graphical user interface that is usable forconfiguring a new set of controller signal relationships; and store inthe memory the new set of controller signal relationships in associationwith the identified controller type.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein:the interface application is operable to receive a user identifier; andthe identification of the particular user is based at least in part onthe received user identifier.
 16. The system of claim 1, wherein: theinterface application is operable to receive a control message from theparticular game controller; and the identification of the particularcontroller type is based at least in part on the control message. 17.The system of claim 1, wherein the particular game controller generatesthe particular game controller signal in response to: a depression ofone button; a substantially simultaneous depression of a plurality ofbuttons; a movement of a joystick; a substantially simultaneous movementof a joystick and depression of one or more buttons; a movement of aD-pad; or a substantially simultaneous movement of a D-pad anddepression of one or more buttons.
 18. The system of claim 17, whereinthe determined trading system command is a “Request for Quote” command.19. The system of claim 17, wherein the determined trading systemcommand is a command to cancel an order.
 20. The system of claim 17,wherein the determined trading system command is a “Limit” command. 21.The system of claim 17, wherein the determined trading system command isa “Buy” or “Bid” command.
 22. The system of claim 17, wherein thedetermined trading system command is a “Sell” or “Offer” command. 23.The system of claim 17, wherein the determined trading system command isa “Size Up” or “Size Down” command.
 24. The system of claim 17, whereinthe determined trading system command is a “Price Up” or “Price Down”command.
 25. A system for electronic trading, comprising: a memoryoperable to store: a first set of controller signal relationships, thefirst set associated with a first user and with a first type of samecontroller; a second set of controller signal relationships, the secondset associated with the first user and with a second type of samecontroller; and a third set of controller signal relationships, thethird set associated with a second user and with the first type of samecontroller; an interface application communicatively coupled to thememory, wherein: at least one controller signal relationship associatesone of a plurality of game controller signals with one of a plurality oftrading system commands associated with electronic trading of financialinstruments; the interface application is operable to identify aparticular user associated with a particular same controller, identify aparticular controller type associated with the particular samecontroller, and determine at least one of the stored sets of controllersignal relationships based at least in part on the identified user andthe identified controller type; the interface application is furtheroperable to receive from the particular game controller a particulargame controller signal, determine the trading system command associatedwith the particular game controller signal using the determined set ofcontroller signal relationships, and communicate the determined tradingsystem command such that the trading system command is executed; and theinterface application is further operable to provide to a user acontroller configuration interface, receive via the controllerconfiguration interface one or more configuration instructions, andgenerate one or more controller signal relationships based on thereceived configuration instructions.
 26. The system of claim 1, whereinthe interface application is further operable to: provide to a user acontroller configuration interface; receive via the controllerconfiguration interface one or more reconfiguration instructions; andreconfigure the one or more controller signal relationships based on thereceived reconfiguration instructions.
 27. A method for electronictrading, comprising: storing a plurality of sets of controller signalrelationships, wherein: a first set of controller signal relationshipsis associated with a first user and with a first type of samecontroller; a second set of controller signal relationships isassociated with the first user and with a second type of samecontroller; a third set of controller signal relationships is associatedwith a second user and with the first type of same controller; and atleast one controller signal relationship associates one of a pluralityof game controller signals with one of a plurality of trading systemcommands associated with electronic trading of financial instruments viaa trading platform; identifying a particular user associated with aparticular same controller; identifying a particular controller typeassociated with the particular same controller; determining at least oneof the stored sets of controller signal relationships based at least inpart on the identified user and the identified controller type;receiving a particular game controller signal generated by theparticular game controller; determining the trading system commandassociated with the particular game controller signal based at least inpart on the at least one determined set of controller signalrelationships; and communicating the determined trading system commandtoward the trading platform such that the trading system command may beexecuted by the trading platform.
 28. The method of claim 27, furthercomprising: storing at least one set of keyboard signal relationships,each keyboard signal relationship associating one of a plurality ofkeyboard signals with one of the plurality of trading system commands;receiving a particular keyboard signal generated by a keyboard;determining the trading system command associated with the particularkeyboard signal based on the at least one set of keyboard signalrelationships; and communicating the determined trading system commandtoward the trading platform such that the trading system command may beexecuted by the trading platform.
 29. The method of claim 27, whereinthe particular game controller signal generated by the particular gamecontroller is received via a USB type port.
 30. The method of claim 27,wherein the particular game controller signal generated by theparticular game controller is received via a serial port.
 31. The methodof claim 27, wherein the particular game controller is coupled to acontroller input port provided by a keyboard; and wherein the particulargame controller signal generated by the particular game controller isreceived via the controller input port.
 32. The method of claim 31,wherein the controller input port is a USB type port.
 33. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the controller input port is a serial port.
 34. Themethod of claim 31, further comprising: storing at least one set ofkeyboard signal relationships, each keyboard signal relationshipassociating one of a plurality of keyboard signals with one of theplurality of trading system commands; receiving a particular keyboardsignal generated by the keyboard; determining the trading system commandassociated with the particular keyboard signal based on the at least oneset of keyboard signal relationships; and communicating the determinedtrading system command toward the trading platform such that the tradingsystem command may be executed by the trading platform.
 35. The methodof claim 27, further comprising: storing one or more feedback signalrelationships, each feedback signal relationship associating a tradingplatform signal with a controller feedback command; receiving aparticular trading platform signal from a trading platform; determiningthe controller feedback command associated with the particular tradingplatform signal based on the feedback signal relationships; andcommunicating the determined controller feedback command toward theparticular game controller.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein thedetermined controller feedback command comprises a command to vibratethe particular game controller.
 37. The method of claim 27, furthercomprising: providing to a user a controller configuration interface;receiving via the controller configuration interface one or moreconfiguration instructions; and generating one or more of the pluralityof sets of controller signal relationships based on the receivedconfiguration instructions.
 38. The method of claim 27, furthercomprising: providing to a user a controller configuration interface;receiving via the controller configuration interface one or morereconfiguration instructions; and reconfiguring one or more of theplurality of sets of controller signal relationships based on thereceived reconfiguration instructions.
 39. A system for managingtrading, comprising: a computer system having a processor; and at leastone computer readable medium communicatively coupled to the computersystem, the at least one computer readable medium storing: a pluralityof sets of controller signal relationships, wherein: a first set ofcontroller signal relationships is associated with a first user and witha first type of same controller; a second set of controller signalrelationships is associated with the first user and with a second typeof same controller; a third set of controller signal relationships isassociated with a second user and with the first type of gamecontroller; and at least one controller signal relationship associatesone of a plurality of game controller signals with one of a plurality oftrading system commands associated with electronic trading of financialinstruments via a trading platform; and a program operable, whenexecuted by the processor, to: identify a particular user associatedwith a particular same controller; identify a particular controller typeassociated with the particular same controller; determine at least oneof the stored sets of controller signal relationships based at least inpart on the identified user and the identified controller type; receivea particular game controller signal generated by the particular gamecontroller; determine the trading system command associated with theparticular game controller signal based at least in part on the at leastone determined set of controller signal relationships; and communicatethe determined trading system command toward the trading platform suchthat the trading system command may be executed by the trading platform.40. The system of claim 29, wherein: the at least one computer readablemedium is further operable to ÷ store at least one set of keyboardsignal relationships, each keyboard signal relationship associating oneof a plurality of keyboard signals with one of the plurality of tradingsystem commands; the program is further operable to: receive aparticular keyboard signal generated by a keyboard; determine thetrading system command associated with the particular keyboard signalbased on the at least one set of keyboard signal relationships; andcommunicate the determined trading system command toward the tradingplatform such that the trading system command may be executed by thetrading platform.
 41. The system of claim 39, wherein the computersystem further includes a USB type port, and wherein the particular gamecontroller signal generated by the particular game controller isreceived via the USB type port.
 42. The system of claim 39, wherein thecomputer system further includes a serial port, and wherein theparticular game controller signal generated by the particular gamecontroller is received via the serial port.
 43. The system of claim 39,wherein the computer system further includes a keyboard having acontroller input port; wherein the particular game controller is coupledto the controller input port; and wherein the particular game controllersignal generated by the identified particular game controller isreceived via the controller input port.
 44. The system of claim 43,wherein the controller input port is a USB type port.
 45. The system ofclaim 43, wherein the controller input port is a serial port.
 46. Thesystem of claim 43, wherein: the at least one computer readable mediumis further operable to store a plurality of keyboard signalrelationships, each keyboard signal relationship associating one of aplurality of keyboard signals with one of the plurality of tradingsystem commands; and the program is further operable to: receive aparticular keyboard signal generated by the keyboard; determine thetrading system command associated with the particular keyboard signalbased on the keyboard signal relationships; and communicate thedetermined trading system command toward the trading platform such thatthe trading system command may be executed by the trading platform. 47.The system of claim 39, wherein: the at least one computer readablemedium is further operable to store one or more feedback signalrelationships, each feedback signal relationship associating a tradingplatform signal with a controller feedback command; and the program isfurther operable to: receive a particular trading platform signal from atrading platform; determine the controller feedback command associatedwith the particular trading platform signal based on the feedback signalrelationships; and communicate the determined controller feedbackcommand toward the particular game controller.
 48. The system of claim47, wherein the determined controller feedback command comprises acommand to vibrate the particular game controller.
 49. The system ofclaim 39, wherein the program is further operable to: provide to a usera controller configuration interface; receive via the controllerconfiguration interface one or more configuration instructions; andgenerate one or more of the plurality of sets of controller signalrelationships based on the received configuration instructions.
 50. Thesystem of claim 39, wherein the program is further operable to: provideto a user a controller configuration interface; receive via thecontroller configuration interface one or more reconfigurationinstructions; and reconfigure one or more of the plurality of sets ofcontroller signal relationships based on the received reconfigurationinstructions.